Tennis racket handle



March 17, 1970 M. H. CHERIS ETAL TENNIS RACKET HANDLE 2 Sheets-Sheet 1Filed Feb. 28.- 1968 o o O O O O O O o m omo O O O O 000 00000 6 0 9 9CHOW.

INVENTORS MAYNARD h. CHER/5; ALo/sE A. 5/605 DANA m MOX I United StatesPatent US. Cl. 273-'75 9 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE A handle fora steel frame tennis racket including elongated end portions, the handleincluding a pair of like elongated pallet pieces having projectionsextending inwardly from each of such pallet pieces engaging in openingmeans in a brace secured between the frame end portions for retainingthe pallet pieces in predetermined position on the frame end portions.The pallet pieces are secured to one another by means including an endcap having a recess therein engaging over the end portions of the palletpieces and a bolt remote from the end cap. A flexible strip of material,as, for example, leather is then spirally wound over the assembledpallet pieces to complete the handle assembly.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to rackets fortennis, squash, badminton or the like games and, more particularly, toan improved handle construction for such rackets.

Recently, tennis rackets made with a steel frame have become morepopular. Essentially, the racket comprises a metal frame bent to shapeand including generally parallel spaced-apart end portions. The metalframe may be formed of deformed tube as in Us. Patent 3,206,204 or ofpairs of spaced-apart tubes as in the copending application of Manard H.Cheris and Aloise A. Bigos, Ser. No. 685,011, filed Nov. 22, 1967, andassigned to the same assignee as the present case.

The handle shown in US. Patent 3,206,204 is made from two like pieces ofplastic retained on the end portions of the metal frame by Wrapping aflexible strip of material, such as leather, spirally around the plasticpieces. Some slipping of the flexible strip on the plastic pieces hasbeen encountered in use, resulting in improper feel of the handle to theplayer using the racket. In the absence of a rigid connection betweenthe handle pieces, the handle could lose its rigidity. A common problemencountered with handles for tennis rackets is that excessive perspiation from the hand of the player will not be fully absorbed by the handgrip of the handle or evaporated into the air, with the result beingthat the handle loses its proper feel to the player.

An object of the present invention is to provide an improved handleconstruction for a metal frame racket wherein the deficiencies anddisadvantages of prior constructions are obviated.

Another object of this invention is to provide an improved handleconstruction for a steel frame racket which is rugged and provides acomfortable and solid feel to the user over an extended period of time,and is lightweight.

Yet another object of this invention is to provide an improved handleconstruction for a steel frame racket, such handle constructioncomprising two like pallet pieces fixedly secured to one another by boltmeans and by end cap means, the pallet pieces including projectionscooperating with a brace between end portions of the steel frame forpreventing longitudinal movement of the handle on the end portions ofthe frame.

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A further object of this invention is to provide an improved handleconstruction for a steel frame racket which includes two pallet piecesand a separate butt piece with an insert therein, the pallet piecesbeing drilled with small holes (1) to provide for ventilation, (2) toimprove the adhesion of a flexible grip thereon and (3) to 'minimize theweight of the handle construction. Other objects and advantages of thepresent invention will become apparent hereinafter.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING The attached drawing illustrates apreferred form of the present invention wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a metal frame'tennis racket embodyingthe principles of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a plan view of the handle construction of the presentinvention, with a portion thereof being cut away for clarity FIG. 3 is aside view of the handle construction of FIG. 2, with a portion beingbroken away for clairity;

FIG. 4 is an end view of the handle construction, with a portion beingbroken away for clarity;

FIG. 5 is a bottom view of the end cap of the handle construction;

FIG. 6 is a side view of one of the the handle construction;

FIG. 7 is a bottom view of the pallet piece of FIG. 6;

FIG. 8 is an end view of the pallet piece taken generally along the line8-8 of FIG. 6;

FIG. 9 is an illustration of a modified handle constructionincorporating spaced pads on the pallet piece for providing handle sizevariations;

FIG. 10 is an end view taken generally along the line 10-10 of FIG. 9further illustrating the modification of the handle construction; and

FIG. 11 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of a modified pallet piecetaken generally along the line 1111 of FIG. 9.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED- EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION Referring toFIG. 1, there is illustrated a tennis racket 10 embodying the principlesof the present invention. Though the racket is sometimes hereaftercalled a tennis racket, it is readily apparent that the principles ofthe invention may be applied to metal frame rackets for use in othergames, such as badminton and squash. The racket 10 comprises a framedefined by a pair of metal tubular members 12 and 14 disposed inparallel relationship and bent intermediate the length thereof to form aracket head, with the end portions 12a and 14a being brought together insubstantially parallel spaced relationship. The loop defined by tubularmembers 12 and 14 is closed by a pair of separate brace or frame members16 and 18 disposed in generally parallel relationship. Pin means areprovided between the complementary pairs of frame members 12, 14, 16,and 18 to secure the frame members to one another is spaced apartrelationship and to provide supports for the racket strings. Thespecific pallet pieces of detail of the frame construction forms no partof the present invention and reference may be made to the copendingapplication of Maynard H. Cheris and .Aloise A. Bigos, Ser. No. 685,011filed Nov. 22, 1967, for a more detail of the frame construction formsno part of the struction to which the handle of the present inventionmay be applied.

A cross-brace member 20 is provided in the throat area of the frameconstruction. The cross-brace 20 rigidifies the frame. It also functionsto-prevent a tennis ball from lodging in the open area frame portions16, 18. In addition, the cross-brace member may be made from a tubularmember which is adapted to receive a mass therein for weighing theracket frame.

Turning now to FIGS. 2, 3 and 4 there is better illustrated the handleconstruction 24 of the present invention. The handle assembly 24includes a pair of like molded plastic pallet pieces 26 and 28 disposedon opposite sides of tubular frame end portions 12a and 14a. Theextremities of the end portions 12a and 14a remote from the racket headare secured in spaced-apart relationship by a U-shaped clip member 29,which is brazed, welded or otherwise secured to the end portions 12a and14a.

The handle construction 24 includes an end cap or butt piece 30, whichis adapted to engage with the two pallet pieces 26 and 28 and to besecured to the clip 29 by suitable fastening means 32 as, for example, asmall screw. The screw 32 extends through an opening in the end cap 30and engages within an opening in the base portion of clip 29. Theopening in the end cap 30 is closed by a decorative insert member 34received in the recessed portion of the end cap and suitably securedtherein. The two pallet pieces are secured to one another on oppositesides of the end portions 12a and 14a remote from the end cap 30 bymeans of a screw member 36 adapted to engage within aligned openings intubular projections 38 and 40 formed in the pallet pieces 26 and 28,respectively.

As best seen in FIG. 3, the U-shaped clip 29 is provided with an openingin each side portion thereof for receiving projections 42 and 44respectively, extending toward one another from the pallet pieces 26 and28. The projections 42 and 44 engage within the openings in the U-shapedclip 29 to prevent longitudinal movement of the handle with respect tothe frame end portions 12a and 14a along the axis of the end portions12a and 14a.

The means for securing the pallet pieces 26 and 28 to one anotherinclude the screw 36 as well as the end cap 30 which engages over theend portions of the pallet pieces 26 and 28 to retain them to oneanother and is secured to clip 29 that is in turn secured to the endportions 12a and 14a.

It is noted that there are a plurality of spaced projections extendingfrom the pallet pieces 26 and 28 along the length thereof. Theprojections are spaced longitudinally of the handle or pallet pieces andare spaced inwardly from the edges thereof. The projections 48 on thepallet piece 26 and the projections 49 on the pallet piece 28 cooperatewith the tubular end portions 12a and 14a, respectively, to maintain theend portions 12a and 14a in desired spaced-apart relationship. Theexterior surface of the projections 48 and 49 bear against the tubularend portions and function to rigidify the handle construction when thepallet pieces 26 and 28 are secured to one another about the endportions 12a and 14a. The projections 48 and 49 are spaced inwardly fromthe side edge of the pallet pieces a distance approximately equal to thewidth of the frame end portions whereby the edges of the pallet pieces26 and 28 and the exterior of the frame end portions lie in about thesame plane so as to smoothly accommodate a flexible hand grip positionedon the pallet pieces.

The lefthand side of the pallet pieces 26 and 28 as viewed in FIGS. 2and 3 are each provided with a mall portion 52 and 54, respectively,extending transversely of the pallet pieces. When in assembledrelationship, the planar ends of the transverse walls 52 and 54 areadapted to be brought substantially into abutting position with oneanother so as to present a clean finished appearance to the user.

Referring now to FIG. 5, there is better illustrated the construction ofthe end cap 30. The cap 30 which is preferably molded from a plasticmaterial, as for example, Cycolac T, as are the pallet pieces 26 and 28,includes a generally tubular outer portion 56. Provided internally inthe cap 30 is a hub portion 58 retained to the tubular portion 56 bymeans of ribs 59. A central hole or opening 60 is provided in the hub 58to permit passage of a fastening screw 32 therethrough, which screw 32engages with the U-shaped clip 29 to retain the end cap 30 in position.Recesses 62 are formed in diametrically opposed internal surfaces ofwalls 63 of the tubular portion 56 of end cap 30 to facilitate receptionof the ends of the end portions and 14a of the frame within the end cap30. A U-shaped recess 31 is provided in opposite sides of the tubularportion 56 to permit some flexibility of the remaining wall portions ofthe end cap toward and away from one another to further enhance assemblyof the end cap 30 onto the frame end portions and the pallet piecesmounted thereon.

Referring to FIGS. 6, 7 and 8, there is better illustrated the detail ofa pallet piece 26. Each pallet piece which is integrally molded from asuitable plastic, is generally trapezoidal in cross-section (FIG. 8) andis preferably comprised of a thin-walled member, rather than a solidblock. It has been found that in the present design a hollowed-outstructure will give essentially the same strength as a solid blockportion while reducing the weight thereof. The tubular projection 38 isprovided with a countersunk hole therethrough for receiving a fasteningmeans. It will be apparent that a self-threading screw may be utilizedto secure the two pallet pieces to one another. The transverse wall 52may include rearwardly or downwardly extending portions 52a. TheU-shaped configuration of the transverse wall 52 would provide greaterstrength than if a planar portion depended or extended outwardly fromthe pallet piece 26.

A shoulder or recessed portion 66 is provided in the rear end of thepallet piece 26. The recessed surface is provided with a draft ofapproximately 2 such that the surface tapers toward the end of thepallet piece 26. The surfaces defining the recess in the end cap have acomplementary taper. The purpose of this taper is to facilitatereception of an end cap 30 over the ends of the pallet pieces 26 and 28during assembly of the handle parts and to provide extended surface areabetween the cap 30 and the pallet pieces 26 and 28, note for example.FIG. 3.

A feature of the invention is the provision of a plurality of holes oropenings 68 extending through the top wall 69 of the pallet piece 26.Similar holes will be provided in the top surface of the pallet piece28. The holes 68 serve several important purposes. After the palletpieces and end cap are assembled, a flexible strip of material, veryoften leather or a like material, is wrapped about the pallet pieces toprovide a more desirable hand grip. Ordinarily, the perspiration of theuser will be absorbed within the hand grip or Will be evaporated. If theperspiration is not readily removed, then the grip will become slipperyand it will be diflicult for the user to retain proper control and feelof the handle. If has been found that the provision of air holes in thehandle pallet pieces provides for internal ventilation and enhancesevaporation of the moisture. Furthermore, the provision of the holesimproves the adhesion of the leather grip to the handle as the leatherwill tend to dig into some of the holes and be more firmly retained onthe pallet pieces. The openings further reduce the weight of the handle,

Referring to FIGS. 9, 10, and 11, there is illustrated a modification ofa pallet piece to accommodate a plurality of grip sizes. Provided on thepallet piece 26 at spaced intervals are spacer pads 70 which are adaptedto engage with adjacent frame end portions. As shown, the spacer pads 70are adapted to engage with the exterior of tubular end portion 12a. Thespacer pads may be made of varying length in order to accommodatedifferent size hand grips. As a specific example, the handleconstruction may be readily varied to provide handle sizes of 4% inch, 4inch, 4% inch and 4% inch. In the event the handle size is to be 4% inchthen no spacer pad is provided on either pallet piece. (FIGS. 6 and 7illustrate a pallet piece having no spacer pads, with the location onlyof the spacer pads being indicated in FIG. 7.) In the event the handlesize is to be 4 /2 inch, then the spacer pads will each extend .030 inchfrom the surface of the pallet piece. For a 4% inch handle, the spacerpad will extend .065 inch and for a 4% inch handle, the spacer pad willextend .097 inch from the pallet piece. 7

It will be appreciated that as the pallet pieces are spaced further fromone another to provide for different size handles, the end cap interiorsurface will have to be appropriately modified in order to receive thepallet pieces therewithin. Critical are the length of the side wallinterior surface which contains recess 62 and the location of the sidewall with respect to the transverse centerline of the end cap. In FIG.5, the length of the internal surface of the side wall is designated Aand the distance from the centerline to the end of the side wallinternal surface is designated B. The following table illustrates thevariance in dimensions A and B to accommodate handle sizes correspondingto those considered above. The dimensions stated for the illustrativeembodiment are in inches.

Handle End Dimension A Dimension B Cap Size (FIG. (FIG. 5)

From the foregoing, it appears evident that in the illustratedembodiment of FIG. 5, the recess 62 coincides in length with theinternal surface of side wall 63. For

' larger size handles, recess 62 would lie within the side There hasbeen provided by the present invention an improved handle assembly for ametal frame tennis racket which incorporates two pallet pieces and aseparate butt piece having an insert therefor. The two pallet pieces andbutt piece are adapted to be readily molded from a suitable syntheticresin. The two pallet pieces are secured to one another by a bolt meansremote from the end cap or butt piece. The butt piece itself functionsto join the ends of the pallet pieces in assembled relationship.Projections extending inwardly from the ends of the pallet pieces engagein openings in a U-shaped clip joining the frame end portions to preventlongitudinal movement of the handle on the frame end portions.

The pallet pieces are provided with small holes for ventilation and. toimprove the adhesion of the hand grip to the pallet pieces so as toprevent movement thereof with respect to the pallet pieces during use.The racket handle is light weight yet rugged and has a solid feel to theuser. The handle is comfortable because it is vented and the leathergrip is firmly bonded to the pallet pieces. The end of the handleprovides a smooth, seamless appearance.

While there has been shown and described presently preferred embodimentsof the invention, it will be obvious to those skilled in the art thatvarious changes and modifications may be made therein without departingfrom the invention and, therefore, it is intended in the appended claimsto cover all such changes and modifications as fall Within the truespirit and scope of the invention.

What is claimed is:

1. In a racket comprising a frame formed of metal tubular members havingsubstantially parallel spacedapart end portions joined by a brace and ahandle secured to said end portions, the improvement comprising saidhandle including a pair of like elongated pallet pieces disposed onopposite side of the end portions, projection means extending from saidpallet pieces adjacent the end thereof, said projection means engagingin opening means in said brace to fix said pallets against movementlaterally in the plane of said end portions and against any longitudinalmovement relative to said end portions for retaining the pallet piecesin predetermined position on said end portions, means securing thepallet pieces to one another remote from the projection means, an endcap having a recess therein engaging the pallet pieces, and meanssecuring said end cap to at least one of said brace and pallet pieces.

2. A racket as in claim 1 wherein said handle includes a flexiblecovering provided over said assembled pallet pieces.

3. A racket as in claim 2 wherein a plurality of holes are provided inthe pallet pieces to provide for ventilation of the assembled handle andto improve the adhesion of the flexible covering to the pallet pieces.

4. A racket as in claim 3 wherein the flexible covering is comprised ofa strip of flexible material spirally wound over the pallet pieces.

5. A racket as in claim 1 wherein the securing means comprise bolt meansengageable in aligned openings in said pallet pieces for securing thepallet pieces fixedly to one another.

6. A racket as in claim 1 wherein spacer pads are provided on the palletpieces at spaced intervals along the length thereof and adjacent theside edges of the pallet pieces, the spacer pads being positioned toengage the frame end portions to space the pallet pieces a predetermineddistance from one another so as to establish a predetermined handle gripsize.

7. A racket as in claim 1 wherein elongated projections extend inwardlyfrom adjacent the side edges of the pallet pieces, said elongatedprojections being spaced along the length of the pallet pieces, saidelongated projections being spaced inwardly from the side edges adistance approximately equal to the width of the frame end portions andabutting the frame end portions so as to rigidify the handle.

8. A racket as in claim 1 wherein the projection means comprise apin-like member extending from each pallet piece and the brace comprisesa U-shaped clip member having openings in the arms thereof, the pin-likeprojections engaging in said openings for preventing longitudinalmovement of the handle on the frame end portions.

9. A racket as in claim 1 wherein the extreme ends of the pallet piecesare recessed and have sides tapering toward the rear edge, the recess ofthe end cap having a complementary taper for facilitating mounting ofthe end cap on the pallet pieces.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,173,588 2/1916 Larocque 273-731,562,881 11/1925 Gower et al. 273-73 3,140,873 7/1964 Goodwin 273-75 X3,206,204 9/1965 Lacoste 27373 FOREIGN PATENTS 219,535 7/1924 GreatBritain.

228,650 2/ 1925 Great Britain.

712,224 7/ 1954 Great Britain.

ANTON O. OECHSLE, Primary Examiner R. I APLEY, Assistant Examiner

